The European Union has agreed on a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 200 vessels in the Kremlin’s so-called shadow fleet, which has been used to circumvent oil price caps and conduct sabotage operations.
A senior EU official said the latest measures also focus on hybrid threats, creating a legal framework to act against entities involved in disinformation, underwater cable sabotage, and other hostile activity.
More than 140 individuals and entities are affected, including companies evading sanctions, figures linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, and officials connected to prosecutions of Vladimir Kara-Murza and the late Alexei Navalny.
Brussels is also banning exports of chemicals used in missile production, as pressure builds on Moscow to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire.